‘God was real. It was such a surprise’


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“At 21, I went overseas with the wrong crowd. We were in Europe, in winter, using drugs and chasing women. Then we came home via Afghanistan, also doing the same thing.”

“I lost all meaning … and it continued when I got back to Australia. Eventually, I ended up in a psychiatric hospital at age 24. But even after that, I didn’t always take my medication. I was in and out of hospital, until I was at death’s door, at age 32.

“I’d lost all hope. I’d tried everything except the right way. And that’s when I cried out to God at 2am. I just said, ‘God, help me!’ And I suddenly felt his presence. I wasn’t even expecting it. I just cried out because I couldn’t think of anything else to do. He was real. It was such a surprise! But in that moment, I felt there was hope.

“My aunt was a Catholic nun and she invited me to the convent the next week. I prayed there. After that, I went to a local church and I heard people praying. I thought they were crazy, but I went back the next week, and I responded to an altar call. I gave my life to Jesus.

“Since then, it hasn’t always been easy. But I like Romans 10:13, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It’s true! We can call out to God and he hears us, even when we’re not expecting him! And I know that God knows … everything.”

Geoff’s story is part of Eternity’s Faith Stories series, compiled by Naomi Reed. Click here for more Faith Stories.

Romans 10 13 Bible verse

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